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Chekan JR, Mydy LS, Pasquale MA, Kersten RD. Plant peptides - redefining an area of ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides. Nat Prod Rep 2024; 41:1020-1059. [PMID: 38411572 PMCID: PMC11253845 DOI: 10.1039/d3np00042g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
Covering 1965 to February 2024Plants are prolific peptide chemists and are known to make thousands of different peptidic molecules. These peptides vary dramatically in their size, chemistry, and bioactivity. Despite their differences, all plant peptides to date are biosynthesized as ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs). Decades of research in plant RiPP biosynthesis have extended the definition and scope of RiPPs from microbial sources, establishing paradigms and discovering new families of biosynthetic enzymes. The discovery and elucidation of plant peptide pathways is challenging due to repurposing and evolution of housekeeping genes as both precursor peptides and biosynthetic enzymes and due to the low rates of gene clustering in plants. In this review, we highlight the chemistry, biosynthesis, and function of the known RiPP classes from plants and recommend a nomenclature for the recent addition of BURP-domain-derived RiPPs termed burpitides. Burpitides are an emerging family of cyclic plant RiPPs characterized by macrocyclic crosslinks between tyrosine or tryptophan side chains and other amino acid side chains or their peptide backbone that are formed by copper-dependent BURP-domain-containing proteins termed burpitide cyclases. Finally, we review the discovery of plant RiPPs through bioactivity-guided, structure-guided, and gene-guided approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan R Chekan
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, USA.
| | - Lisa S Mydy
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
| | - Michael A Pasquale
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, USA.
| | - Roland D Kersten
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
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2
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Lam W, Arammash M, Cai W, Guan F, Jiang Z, Liu SH, Cheng P, Cheng YC. YIV-818-A: a novel therapeutic agent in prostate cancer management through androgen receptor downregulation, glucocorticoid receptor inhibition, epigenetic regulation, and enhancement of apalutamide, darolutamide, and enzalutamide efficacy. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1244655. [PMID: 37860121 PMCID: PMC10582333 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1244655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among men in the United States. Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer (CRPC) often develops resistance to androgen deprivation therapy. Resistance in CRPC is often driven by AR variants and glucocorticoid receptor (GR). Thus, drugs that target both could be vital in overcoming resistance. Methods: Utilizing the STAR Drug Discovery Platform, three hundred medicinal plant extracts were examined across 25 signaling pathways to identify potential drug candidates. Effects of the botanical drug YIV-818-A, derived from optimized water extracts of Rubia cordifolia (R.C.), on Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) or Dexamethasone (DEX) induced luciferase activity were assessed in 22RV1 cells harboring the ARE luciferase reporter. Furthermore, the key active compounds in YIV-818-A were identified through activity guided purification. The inhibitory effects of YIV-818-A, RA-V, and RA-VII on AR and GR activities, their impact on AR target genes, and their roles in modifying epigenetic status were investigated. Finally, the synergistic effects of these compounds with established CRPC drugs were evaluated both in vitro and in vivo. Results: YIV-818-A was found to effectively inhibit DHT or DEX induced luciferase activity in 22RV1 cells. Deoxybouvardin (RA-V) was identified as the key active compound responsible for inhibiting AR and GR activities. Both YIV-818-A and RA-V, along with RA-VII, effectively downregulated AR and AR-V proteins through inhibiting protein synthesis, impacted the expression of AR target genes, and modified the epigenetic status by reducing levels of Bromodomain and Extra-Terminal proteins (Brd2/Brd4) and H3K27Ac. Furthermore, these compounds exhibited synergistic effects with apalutamide, darolutamide, or enzalutamide, and suppressed AR mediated luciferase activity of 22RV1 cells. Co-administration of YIV-818-A and enzalutamide led to a significant reduction of 22RV1 tumor growth in vivo. Different sources of R.C. had variable levels of RA-V, correlating with their potency in AR inhibition. Discussion: YIV-818-A, RA-V, and RA-VII show considerable promise in addressing drug resistance in CRPC by targeting both AR protein and GR function, along with modulation of vital epigenetic markers. Given the established safety profile of YIV-818-A, these findings suggest its potential as a chemopreventive agent and a robust anti-prostate cancer drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wing Lam
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Mohammad Arammash
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Wei Cai
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hunan University of Medicine, Huaihua, China
| | - Fulan Guan
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Zaoli Jiang
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | | | | | - Yung-Chi Cheng
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
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3
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Marciniak A, Pacini L, Papini AM, Brasuń J. Bicyclopeptides: a new class of ligands for Cu(II) ions. Dalton Trans 2022; 51:13368-13375. [PMID: 35984441 DOI: 10.1039/d2dt01497a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
There is growing interest in bicyclic peptides among scientists. This group of compounds has more advantageous properties than monocyclic ligands and their application in medicine and biological sciences is possible. It is known that sometimes the presence of metal ions is crucial for the activity of peptides in biological systems, like in the case of oxytocin or vasopressin. Therefore, in this study, we performed a series of experiments with the new bicyclic peptide c(PKKHP-c(CFWKTC)-PKKH) (BCL) that was designed and synthesized by a fully automated induction-assisted solid phase synthesizer. We analyzed the coordination abilities of BCL relative to copper(II) ions. The new bicyclic peptide contains two histidine moieties, separated by proline residues, with two distinct sites for metal ion coordination. The obtained results showed that in all analyzed systems both mono- and dinuclear complexes are formed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Marciniak
- Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Wroclaw Medical University, Borowska 211A, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland.
| | - Lorenzo Pacini
- Interdepartmental Research Unit of Peptide and Protein Chemistry and Biology, Department of Chemistry "Ugo Schiff", University of Florence, Via Della Lastruccia 13, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy. .,MoD&LS Laboratory, University of Florence, Centre of Competences RISE, Via Madonna del Piano 6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Papini
- Interdepartmental Research Unit of Peptide and Protein Chemistry and Biology, Department of Chemistry "Ugo Schiff", University of Florence, Via Della Lastruccia 13, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy. .,MoD&LS Laboratory, University of Florence, Centre of Competences RISE, Via Madonna del Piano 6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Justyna Brasuń
- Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Wroclaw Medical University, Borowska 211A, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland.
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4
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Munnik C, Xaba MP, Malindisa ST, Russell BL, Sooklal SA. Drosophila melanogaster: A platform for anticancer drug discovery and personalized therapies. Front Genet 2022; 13:949241. [PMID: 36003330 PMCID: PMC9393232 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.949241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a complex disease whereby multiple genetic aberrations, epigenetic modifications, metabolic reprogramming, and the microenvironment contribute to the development of a tumor. In the traditional anticancer drug discovery pipeline, drug candidates are usually screened in vitro using two-dimensional or three-dimensional cell culture. However, these methods fail to accurately mimic the human disease state. This has led to the poor success rate of anticancer drugs in the preclinical stages since many drugs are abandoned due to inefficacy or toxicity when transitioned to whole-organism models. The common fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, has emerged as a beneficial system for modeling human cancers. Decades of fundamental research have shown the evolutionary conservation of key genes and signaling pathways between flies and humans. Moreover, Drosophila has a lower genetic redundancy in comparison to mammals. These factors, in addition to the advancement of genetic toolkits for manipulating gene expression, allow for the generation of complex Drosophila genotypes and phenotypes. Numerous studies have successfully created Drosophila models for colorectal, lung, thyroid, and brain cancers. These models were utilized in the high-throughput screening of FDA-approved drugs which led to the identification of several compounds capable of reducing proliferation and rescuing phenotypes. More noteworthy, Drosophila has also unlocked the potential for personalized therapies. Drosophila ‘avatars’ presenting the same mutations as a patient are used to screen multiple therapeutic agents targeting multiple pathways to find the most appropriate combination of drugs. The outcomes of these studies have translated to significant responses in patients with adenoid cystic carcinoma and metastatic colorectal cancers. Despite not being widely utilized, the concept of in vivo screening of drugs in Drosophila is making significant contributions to the current drug discovery pipeline. In this review, we discuss the application of Drosophila as a platform in anticancer drug discovery; with special focus on the cancer models that have been generated, drug libraries that have been screened and the status of personalized therapies. In addition, we elaborate on the biological and technical limitations of this system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chamoné Munnik
- Department of Life and Consumer Sciences, University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Malungi P. Xaba
- Department of Life and Consumer Sciences, University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Sibusiso T. Malindisa
- Department of Life and Consumer Sciences, University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Bonnie L. Russell
- Department of Life and Consumer Sciences, University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa
- Buboo (Pty) Ltd, The Innovation Hub, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Selisha A. Sooklal
- Department of Life and Consumer Sciences, University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa
- *Correspondence: Selisha A. Sooklal,
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5
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Dahiya S, Dahiya R, Fuloria NK, Mourya R, Dahiya S, Fuloria S, Kumar S, Shrivastava J, Saharan R, Chennupati SV, Patel JK. Natural Bridged Bicyclic Peptide Macrobiomolecules from Celosia argentea and Amanita phalloides. Mini Rev Med Chem 2022; 22:1772-1788. [PMID: 35049431 DOI: 10.2174/1389557522666220113122117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Revised: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Bridged peptide macrobicycles (BPMs) from natural resources belong to types of compounds that are not investigated fully in terms of their formation, pharmacological potential and stereo-chemical properties. This division of biologically active congeners with multiple circular rings, has merits over other varieties of peptide molecules. BPMs form one of the most hopeful grounds for establishment of drugs because of their close resemblance and biocompatibility to proteins, and these bio-actives are debated as feasible realistic tools in diverse biomedical applications. Despite huge potential, poor metabolic stability and cell permeability limit the therapeutic success of macrocyclic peptides. In this review, we have comprehensively explored major bicyclic peptides sourced from plants and mushrooms including βs-leucyl-tryptophano-histidine bridged and tryptophano-cysteine bridged peptide macrobicycles. The unique structural features, structure activity relationship, synthetic routes, bioproperties and therapeutic potential of the natural BPMs are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunita Dahiya
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, PR 00936, USA
| | - Rajiv Dahiya
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago, West Indies
| | - Neeraj Kumar Fuloria
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, AIMST University, Semeling, Bedong 08100, Kedah, Malaysia
| | - Rita Mourya
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Lakshmi Narain College of Pharmacy, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Saurabh Dahiya
- Delhi Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, Delhi Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research University, New Delhi, India
| | - Shivkanya Fuloria
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, AIMST University, Semeling, Bedong 08100, Kedah, Malaysia
| | - Suresh Kumar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Bharat Institute of Pharmacy, Babain, Kurukshetra, Haryana, India
| | - Jyoti Shrivastava
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, The Oxford College of Pharmacy, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Renu Saharan
- Department of Pharmaceutics, M.M. College of Pharmacy, Maharishi Markandeshwar Deemed to be University, Mullana, Am-bala, Haryana, India
| | - Suresh V Chennupati
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Medical and Health Sciences, Wollega University, P.O. Box 395, Nekemte, Ethiopia
| | - Jayvadan K Patel
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Nootan Pharmacy College, Faculty of Pharmacy, Sankalchand Patel University, Visnagar-384315, Mehsana, Gujarat, India
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6
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Ledru M, Clark CA, Brown J, Verghese S, Ferrara S, Goodspeed A, Su TT. Differential gene expression analysis identified determinants of cell fate plasticity during radiation-induced regeneration in Drosophila. PLoS Genet 2022; 18:e1009989. [PMID: 34990447 PMCID: PMC8769364 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1009989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Revised: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Ionizing radiation (IR) is used to treat half of all cancer patients because of its ability to kill cells. IR, however, can induce stem cell-like properties in non-stem cancer cells, potentiating tumor regrowth and reduced therapeutic success. We identified previously a subpopulation of cells in Drosophila larval wing discs that exhibit IR-induced stem cell-like properties. These cells reside in the future wing hinge, are resistant to IR-induced apoptosis, and are capable of translocating, changing fate, and participating in regenerating the pouch that suffers more IR-induced apoptosis. We used here a combination of lineage tracing, FACS-sorting of cells that change fate, genome-wide RNAseq, and functional testing of 42 genes, to identify two key changes that are required cell-autonomously for IR-induced hinge-to-pouch fate change: (1) repression of hinge determinants Wg (Drosophila Wnt1) and conserved zinc-finger transcription factor Zfh2 and (2) upregulation of three ribosome biogenesis factors. Additional data indicate a role for Myc, a transcriptional activator of ribosome biogenesis genes, in the process. These results provide a molecular understanding of IR-induced cell fate plasticity that may be leveraged to improve radiation therapy. Ionizing radiation (IR) is used to treat half of all cancer patients because of its ability to kill cells but treatment failures are common because tumors grow back (regenerate). Here, we asked which changes in the properties of cells facilitate regeneration in Drosophila (fruit flies) after exposure to radiation. We identified six genes whose products increase or decrease the regenerative potential of cells. These results help us understand how tissues regenerate after IR damage and will aid in designing better therapies that involve radiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Ledru
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Caitlin A. Clark
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Jeremy Brown
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Shilpi Verghese
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Sarah Ferrara
- University of Colorado Cancer Center, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Andrew Goodspeed
- University of Colorado Cancer Center, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, United States of America
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Tin Tin Su
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, United States of America
- University of Colorado Cancer Center, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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7
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Knight JRP, Vlahov N, Gay DM, Ridgway RA, Faller WJ, Proud C, Mallucci GR, von der Haar T, Smales CM, Willis AE, Sansom OJ. Rpl24Bst mutation suppresses colorectal cancer by promoting eEF2 phosphorylation via eEF2K. eLife 2021; 10:e69729. [PMID: 34895463 PMCID: PMC8668188 DOI: 10.7554/elife.69729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Increased protein synthesis supports the rapid cell proliferation associated with cancer. The Rpl24Bst mutant mouse reduces the expression of the ribosomal protein RPL24 and has been used to suppress translation and limit tumorigenesis in multiple mouse models of cancer. Here, we show that Rpl24Bst also suppresses tumorigenesis and proliferation in a model of colorectal cancer (CRC) with two common patient mutations, Apc and Kras. In contrast to previous reports, Rpl24Bst mutation has no effect on ribosomal subunit abundance but suppresses translation elongation through phosphorylation of eEF2, reducing protein synthesis by 40% in tumour cells. Ablating eEF2 phosphorylation in Rpl24Bst mutant mice by inactivating its kinase, eEF2K, completely restores the rates of elongation and protein synthesis. Furthermore, eEF2K activity is required for the Rpl24Bst mutant to suppress tumorigenesis. This work demonstrates that elevation of eEF2 phosphorylation is an effective means to suppress colorectal tumorigenesis with two driver mutations. This positions translation elongation as a therapeutic target in CRC, as well as in other cancers where the Rpl24Bst mutation has a tumour suppressive effect in mouse models.
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Affiliation(s)
- John RP Knight
- CRUK Beatson Institute, Garscube EstateGlasgowUnited Kingdom
| | - Nikola Vlahov
- CRUK Beatson Institute, Garscube EstateGlasgowUnited Kingdom
| | - David M Gay
- CRUK Beatson Institute, Garscube EstateGlasgowUnited Kingdom
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of GlasgowGlasgowUnited Kingdom
| | | | | | - Christopher Proud
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of AdelaideAdelaideAustralia
- Lifelong Health, South Australian Health and Medical Research InstituteAdelaideAustralia
| | - Giovanna R Mallucci
- UK Dementia Research Institute at the University of Cambridge and Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of CambridgeCambridgeUnited Kingdom
| | - Tobias von der Haar
- School of Biosciences, Division of Natural Sciences, University of KentKentUnited Kingdom
| | | | - Anne E Willis
- MRC Toxicology Unit, University of CambridgeCambridgeUnited Kingdom
| | - Owen J Sansom
- CRUK Beatson Institute, Garscube EstateGlasgowUnited Kingdom
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of GlasgowGlasgowUnited Kingdom
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8
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Shirokikh NE. Translation complex stabilization on messenger RNA and footprint profiling to study the RNA responses and dynamics of protein biosynthesis in the cells. Crit Rev Biochem Mol Biol 2021; 57:261-304. [PMID: 34852690 DOI: 10.1080/10409238.2021.2006599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
During protein biosynthesis, ribosomes bind to messenger (m)RNA, locate its protein-coding information, and translate the nucleotide triplets sequentially as codons into the corresponding sequence of amino acids, forming proteins. Non-coding mRNA features, such as 5' and 3' untranslated regions (UTRs), start sites or stop codons of different efficiency, stretches of slower or faster code and nascent polypeptide interactions can alter the translation rates transcript-wise. Most of the homeostatic and signal response pathways of the cells converge on individual mRNA control, as well as alter the global translation output. Among the multitude of approaches to study translational control, one of the most powerful is to infer the locations of translational complexes on mRNA based on the mRNA fragments protected by these complexes from endonucleolytic hydrolysis, or footprints. Translation complex profiling by high-throughput sequencing of the footprints allows to quantify the transcript-wise, as well as global, alterations of translation, and uncover the underlying control mechanisms by attributing footprint locations and sizes to different configurations of the translational complexes. The accuracy of all footprint profiling approaches critically depends on the fidelity of footprint generation and many methods have emerged to preserve certain or multiple configurations of the translational complexes, often in challenging biological material. In this review, a systematic summary of approaches to stabilize translational complexes on mRNA for footprinting is presented and major findings are discussed. Future directions of translation footprint profiling are outlined, focusing on the fidelity and accuracy of inference of the native in vivo translation complex distribution on mRNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolay E Shirokikh
- Division of Genome Sciences and Cancer, The John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
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9
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Dmitriev SE, Vladimirov DO, Lashkevich KA. A Quick Guide to Small-Molecule Inhibitors of Eukaryotic Protein Synthesis. BIOCHEMISTRY (MOSCOW) 2021; 85:1389-1421. [PMID: 33280581 PMCID: PMC7689648 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297920110097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Eukaryotic ribosome and cap-dependent translation are attractive targets in the antitumor, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antiparasitic therapies. Currently, a broad array of small-molecule drugs is known that specifically inhibit protein synthesis in eukaryotic cells. Many of them are well-studied ribosome-targeting antibiotics that block translocation, the peptidyl transferase center or the polypeptide exit tunnel, modulate the binding of translation machinery components to the ribosome, and induce miscoding, premature termination or stop codon readthrough. Such inhibitors are widely used as anticancer, anthelmintic and antifungal agents in medicine, as well as fungicides in agriculture. Chemicals that affect the accuracy of stop codon recognition are promising drugs for the nonsense suppression therapy of hereditary diseases and restoration of tumor suppressor function in cancer cells. Other compounds inhibit aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, translation factors, and components of translation-associated signaling pathways, including mTOR kinase. Some of them have antidepressant, immunosuppressive and geroprotective properties. Translation inhibitors are also used in research for gene expression analysis by ribosome profiling, as well as in cell culture techniques. In this article, we review well-studied and less known inhibitors of eukaryotic protein synthesis (with the exception of mitochondrial and plastid translation) classified by their targets and briefly describe the action mechanisms of these compounds. We also present a continuously updated database (http://eupsic.belozersky.msu.ru/) that currently contains information on 370 inhibitors of eukaryotic protein synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- S E Dmitriev
- Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119234, Russia. .,Faculty of Bioengineering and Bioinformatics, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119234, Russia.,Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 119991, Russia
| | - D O Vladimirov
- Faculty of Bioengineering and Bioinformatics, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119234, Russia
| | - K A Lashkevich
- Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119234, Russia
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10
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Dahiya R, Dahiya S, Kumar P, Kumar RV, Dahiya S, Kumar S, Saharan R, Basu P, Mitra A, Sharma A, Kashaw SK, Patel JK. Structural and biological aspects of natural bridged macrobicyclic peptides from marine resources. Arch Pharm (Weinheim) 2021; 354:e2100034. [PMID: 33913195 DOI: 10.1002/ardp.202100034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2021] [Revised: 04/03/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Among peptide-based drugs, naturally occurring bicyclic compounds have been established as molecules with unique therapeutic potential. The diverse pharmacological activities associated with bicyclic peptides from marine tunicates, sponges, and bacteria render them suitable to be employed as effective surrogate between complex and small therapeutic moieties. Bicyclic peptides possess greater conformational rigidity and higher metabolic stability as compared with linear and monocyclic peptides. The antibody-like affinity and specificity of bicyclic peptides enable their binding to the challenging drug targets. Bridged macrobicyclic peptides from natural marine resources represent an underexplored class of molecules that provides promising platforms for drug development owing to their biocompatibility, similarity, and chemical diversity to proteins. The present review explores major marine-derived bicyclic peptides including disulfide-bridged, histidinotyrosine-bridged, or histidinoalanine-bridged macrobicyclic peptides along with their structural characteristics, synthesis, structure-activity relationship, and bioproperties.The comparison of these macrobicyclic congeners with linear/monocyclic peptides along with their therapeutic potential are also briefly discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajiv Dahiya
- Laboratory of Peptide Research and Development, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Sunita Dahiya
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico, USA
| | - Priyank Kumar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Marshall B. Ketchum University, Fullerton, California, USA
| | - Radhika V Kumar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, American University of Health Sciences, Signal Hill, California, USA
| | - Saurabh Dahiya
- Department of Quality Assurance, Delhi Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, Delhi Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research University, New Delhi, India
| | - Suresh Kumar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Bharat Institute of Pharmacy, Pehladpur, Babain, Kurukshetra, Haryana, India
| | - Renu Saharan
- Department of Pharmaceutics, M. M. College of Pharmacy, Maharishi Markandeshwar Deemed to be University, Ambala, Haryana, India
| | - Paramita Basu
- Department of Pharmaceutical & Biomedical Sciences, Touro College of Pharmacy, New York, USA
| | - Arindam Mitra
- Department of Microbiology, School of Life Science and Biotechnology, Adamas University, Barasat, West Bengal, India
| | - Ajay Sharma
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, Delhi Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research University, New Delhi, India
| | - Sushil K Kashaw
- Integrated Drug Discovery Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dr. Harisingh Gour University (A Central University), Sagar, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Jayvadan K Patel
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Nootan Pharmacy College, Faculty of Pharmacy, Sankalchand Patel University, Visnagar, Mehsana, Gujarat, India
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11
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Frederick BA, Gupta R, Atilano-Roque A, Su TT, Raben D. Combined EGFR1 and PARP1 Inhibition Enhances the Effect of Radiation in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Models. Radiat Res 2020; 194:519-531. [PMID: 32936912 DOI: 10.1667/rr15480.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2019] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a challenging cancer with little change in five-year overall survival rate of 50-60% over the last two decades. Radiation with or without platinum-based drugs remains the standard of care despite limited benefit and high toxicity. HNSCCs often overexpress epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and inhibition of EGFR signaling enhances radiation sensitivity by interfering with repair of radiation-induced DNA breaks. Poly (adenosine diphosphate-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP1) also participates in DNA damage repair, but its inhibition provides benefit in cancers that lack DNA repair by homologous recombination (HR) such as BRCA-mutant breast cancer. HNSCCs in contrast are typically BRCA wild-type and proficient in HR repair, making it challenging to apply anti-PARP1 therapy in this model. A recently published study showed that a combination of EGFR and PARP1 inhibition induced more DNA damage and greater growth control than each single agent in HNSCC cells. This led us to hypothesize that a combination of EGFR and PARP1 inhibition would enhance the efficacy of radiation to a greater extent than each single agent, providing a rationale for paradigm-shifting combinatorial approaches to improve the standard of care in HNSCC. Here, we report a proof-of-concept study using Detroit562 HNSCC cells, which are proficient for DNA repair by both HR and non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) mechanisms. We tested the effect of adding cetuximab and/or olaparib (inhibitors of EGFR and PARP1, respectively) to radiation and compared it to that of cisplatin and radiation combination, which is the standard of care. Our results demonstrate that the combination of cetuximab and olaparib with radiation was superior to the combination of any single drug with radiation in terms of induction of unrepaired DNA damage, induction of senescence, apoptosis and clonogenic death, and tumor growth control in mouse xenografts. Combined with our recently published phase I safety data on cetuximab/olaparib/radiation triple combination, the data reported here demonstrate a potential for combining biologically-based therapies that might optimize radiosensitization in HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara A Frederick
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado.,Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado Boulder, Colorado.,SuviCa, Inc., Boulder, Colorado
| | - Rohit Gupta
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Amandla Atilano-Roque
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Tin Tin Su
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado Boulder, Colorado.,SuviCa, Inc., Boulder, Colorado
| | - David Raben
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
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12
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Zakeri K, Narayanan D, Prasanna PGS, Vikram B, Buchsbaum JC. Development of Novel Radiosensitizers through the National Cancer Institute's Small Business Innovation Research Program. Radiat Res 2020; 193:425-434. [PMID: 32216707 DOI: 10.1667/rr15545.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
While radiosensitizing chemotherapy has improved survival for several types of cancer, current chemoradiation regimens remain ineffective for many patients and have substantial toxicities. Given the strong need for the development of novel radiosensitizers to further improve patient outcomes, the Radiation Research Program (RRP) and the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) in the National Cancer Institute (NCI) issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) through the NCI SBIR Development Center's contracts pathway. We sought to determine the research outcomes for the NCI SBIR Development Center's funded proposals for the development of radiosensitizers. We identified SBIR-funded contracts and grants for the development of radiosensitizers from 2009 to 2018 using the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Reporter database. Research outcomes of the NCI SBIR Development Center-funded proposals were determined using a comprehensive internet search. We searched PubMed, clinicaltrials.gov, company websites and google.com for research articles, abstracts and posters, clinical trials, press releases and other news, related to progress in the development of funded radiosensitizers. To protect the intellectual property of the investigators and small businesses, all information obtained and reported is publicly available. The SBIR Program has funded four contracts and 11 grants for the development of novel radiosensitizers. Two companies have received phase IIb bridge awards. Overall, 50% of companies (6/12) have successfully advanced their investigational drugs into prospective clinical trials in cancer patients, and all but one company are investigating their drug in combination with radiation therapy as described in the NCI SBIR Development Center proposal. To date, only one company has initiated a randomized trial of standard of care with or without their radiosensitizer. In conclusion, the NCI SBIR Development Center has funded the development of novel radiosensitizers leading to clinical trials of novel drugs in combination with radiation therapy. Continued follow-up is needed to determine if any of these novel radiosensitizers produce improved tumor control and/or overall survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaveh Zakeri
- Radiation Research Program, Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, Maryland.,Department of Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Deepa Narayanan
- Department of Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Development Center, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Pataje G S Prasanna
- Radiation Research Program, Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, Maryland
| | - Bhadrasain Vikram
- Radiation Research Program, Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, Maryland
| | - Jeffrey C Buchsbaum
- Radiation Research Program, Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, Maryland
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13
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Keysar SB, Gomes N, Miller B, Jackson BC, Le PN, Morton JJ, Reisinger J, Chimed TS, Gomez KE, Nieto C, Frederick B, Pronk GJ, Somerset HL, Tan AC, Wang XJ, Raben D, Su TT, Jimeno A. Inhibiting Translation Elongation with SVC112 Suppresses Cancer Stem Cells and Inhibits Growth in Head and Neck Squamous Carcinoma. Cancer Res 2020; 80:1183-1198. [PMID: 31911553 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-19-3232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2019] [Revised: 12/03/2019] [Accepted: 01/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSC) drive growth, therapy resistance, and recurrence in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Regulation of protein translation is crucial for normal stem cells and CSCs; its inhibition could disrupt stemness properties, but translation inhibitors are limited clinically due to toxicity. SVC112 is a synthetic derivative of bouvardin, a plant-derived translation elongation inhibitor. SVC112 had greater antiproliferative effects on HNSCC cells compared with the FDA-approved translation inhibitor omacetaxine mepesuccinate (HHT). SVC112 preferentially inhibited cancer cells compared with patient-matched cancer-associated fibroblasts, whereas HHT was equally toxic to both. SVC112 reduced sphere formation by cell lines and CSCs. SVC112 alone inhibited the growth of patient-derived xenografts (PDX), and SVC112 combined with radiation resulted in tumor regression in HPV-positive and HPV-negative HNSCC PDXs. Notably, CSC depletion after SVC112 correlated with tumor response. SVC112 preferentially impeded ribosomal processing of mRNAs critical for stress response and decreased CSC-related proteins including Myc and Sox2. SVC112 increased cell-cycle progression delay and slowed DNA repair following radiation, enhancing colony and sphere formation radiation effects. In summary, these data demonstrate that SVC112 suppresses CSC-related proteins, enhances the effects of radiation, and blocks growth of HNSCC PDXs by inhibiting CSCs. SIGNIFICANCE: Inhibiting protein elongation with SVC112 reduces tumor growth in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and increases the effects of radiation by targeting the cancer stem cell pool.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen B Keysar
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
| | | | - Bettina Miller
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Brian C Jackson
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Phuong N Le
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
| | - J Jason Morton
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Julie Reisinger
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Tugs-Saikhan Chimed
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Karina E Gomez
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Cera Nieto
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
| | | | | | - Hilary L Somerset
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, and VA Medical Center, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Aik-Choon Tan
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado.,Department of Biostatistics and Informatics, University of Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Xiao-Jing Wang
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, and VA Medical Center, Aurora, Colorado.,Gates Center for Regenerative Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
| | - David Raben
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Tin Tin Su
- SuviCa, Inc., Boulder, Colorado. .,Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado
| | - Antonio Jimeno
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado. .,Gates Center for Regenerative Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
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14
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Cagan RL, Zon LI, White RM. Modeling Cancer with Flies and Fish. Dev Cell 2019; 49:317-324. [PMID: 31063751 PMCID: PMC6506185 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2019.04.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2019] [Revised: 04/07/2019] [Accepted: 04/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Cancer has joined heart disease as the leading source of mortality in the US. In an era of organoids, patient-derived xenografts, and organs on a chip, model organisms continue to thrive with a combination of powerful genetic tools, rapid pace of discovery, and affordability. Model organisms enable the analysis of both the tumor and its associated microenvironment, aspects that are particularly relevant to our understanding of metastasis and drug resistance. In this Perspective, we explore some of the strengths of fruit flies and zebrafish for addressing fundamental cancer questions and how these two organisms can contribute to identifying promising therapeutic candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ross L Cagan
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Leonard I Zon
- Children's Hospital Boston, Harvard Medical School, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Richard M White
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA.
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15
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Su TT. Drug screening in Drosophila; why, when, and when not? WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY 2019; 8:e346. [PMID: 31056843 DOI: 10.1002/wdev.346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2019] [Revised: 03/08/2019] [Accepted: 04/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The best global seller among oncology drugs in 2018 is lenalidomide, an analog of thalidomide. It took 53 years and a circuitous route from the discovery of thalidomide to approval of an analog for use in treatment of cancer. We understand now a lot more about the genetic and molecular basis of diseases than we did in 1953 when thalidomide was discovered. We have also no shortage of chemical libraries with hundreds of thousands of compounds, both synthetic and natural. What we need are better ways to search among these rich resources for compounds with the potential to do what we want them to do. This review summarizes examples from the literature that make Drosophila melanogaster a good model to screen for drugs, and discusses knowledge gaps and technical challenges that make Drosophila models not as widely used as they could or should be. This article is categorized under: Technologies > Analysis of Cell, Tissue, and Animal Phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tin Tin Su
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado.,Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado Comprehensive Cancer Center, Aurora, Colorado
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16
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Cyclopeptide RA-V Inhibits Organ Enlargement and Tumorigenesis Induced by YAP Activation. Cancers (Basel) 2018; 10:cancers10110449. [PMID: 30453531 PMCID: PMC6265802 DOI: 10.3390/cancers10110449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2018] [Revised: 11/09/2018] [Accepted: 11/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The Hippo pathway restricts organ size during development and its inactivation plays a crucial role in cancer. Yes-associated protein (YAP) and its paralog transcriptional coactivator with PSD-95/Dlg/ZO-1 (PDZ)-binding motif (TAZ) are transcription co-activators and effectors of the Hippo pathway mediating aberrant enlargement of organs and tumor growth upon Hippo pathway inactivation. It has been demonstrated that genetic inactivation of YAP could be an effective approach to inhibit tumorigenesis. In order to identify pharmacological inhibitors of YAP, we screened a library of 52,683 compounds using a YAP-specific reporter assay. In this screen we identified cyclopeptide RA-V (deoxybouvardin) as a specific inhibitor of YAP and TAZ but not other reporters. Unexpectedly, later experiments demonstrated that RA-V represses the protein but not mRNA levels of YAP target genes. Nevertheless, RA-V strongly blocks liver enlargement induced by Mst1/2 knockout. Furthermore, RA-V not only inhibits liver tumorigenesis induced by YAP activation, but also induces regression of established tumors. We found that RA-V inhibits dedifferentiation and proliferation, while inducing apoptosis of hepatocytes. Furthermore, RA-V also induces apoptosis and inhibits proliferation of macrophages in the microenvironment, which are essential for YAP-induced tumorigenesis. RA-V is thus a drug candidate for cancers involving YAP/TAZ activation.
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17
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Pająk M, Kańska M. Isotope effects in the tyrosinase catalysed hydroxylation of l-tyrosine methyl derivatives. ISOTOPES IN ENVIRONMENTAL AND HEALTH STUDIES 2018; 54:548-557. [PMID: 30081668 DOI: 10.1080/10256016.2018.1505722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2017] [Accepted: 06/13/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
To investigate isotope effects in the hydroxylation of [3',5'-2H2]-α-methyl- and [3',5'-2H2]-N-methyl-l-tyrosine, they were synthesised using acid catalysed isotope exchange at high temperature. The kinetic and solvent deuterium isotope effects on Vmax and Vmax/Km parameters of tyrosinase in its action on methylated derivatives of l-tyrosine were determined using the non-competitive spectrophotometric method. Lineweaver-Burk plots were used to consider the inhibition type of O-methyl-l-tyrosine, revealing that it is an uncompetitive inhibitor of tyrosinase.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marianna Kańska
- b Department of Biochemistry, 2nd Faculty of Medicine , Medical University of Warsaw , Warsaw , Poland
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18
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Abstract
With a century-old history of fundamental discoveries, the fruit fly has long been a favored experimental organism for a wide range of scientific inquiries. But Drosophila is not a “legacy” model organism; technical and intellectual innovations continue to revitalize fly research and drive advances in our understanding of conserved mechanisms of animal biology. Here, we provide an overview of this “ecosystem” and discuss how to address emerging challenges to ensure its continued productivity. Drosophila researchers are fortunate to have a sophisticated and ever-growing toolkit for the analysis of gene function. Access to these tools depends upon continued support for both physical and informational resources. Uncertainty regarding stable support for bioinformatic databases is a particular concern, at a time when there is the need to make the vast knowledge of functional biology provided by this model animal accessible to scientists studying other organisms. Communication and advocacy efforts will promote appreciation of the value of the fly in delivering biomedically important insights. Well-tended traditions of large-scale tool development, open sharing of reagents, and community engagement provide a strong basis for coordinated and proactive initiatives to improve the fly research ecosystem. Overall, there has never been a better time to be a fly pusher.
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19
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Li FS, Weng JK. Demystifying traditional herbal medicine with modern approach. NATURE PLANTS 2017; 3:17109. [PMID: 28758992 DOI: 10.1038/nplants.2017.109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 213] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2017] [Accepted: 06/08/2017] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Plants have long been recognized for their therapeutic properties. For centuries, indigenous cultures around the world have used traditional herbal medicine to treat a myriad of maladies. By contrast, the rise of the modern pharmaceutical industry in the past century has been based on exploiting individual active compounds with precise modes of action. This surge has yielded highly effective drugs that are widely used in the clinic, including many plant natural products and analogues derived from these products, but has fallen short of delivering effective cures for complex human diseases with complicated causes, such as cancer, diabetes, autoimmune disorders and degenerative diseases. While the plant kingdom continues to serve as an important source for chemical entities supporting drug discovery, the rich traditions of herbal medicine developed by trial and error on human subjects over thousands of years contain invaluable biomedical information just waiting to be uncovered using modern scientific approaches. Here we provide an evolutionary and historical perspective on why plants are of particular significance as medicines for humans. We highlight several plant natural products that are either in the clinic or currently under active research and clinical development, with particular emphasis on their mechanisms of action. Recent efforts in developing modern multi-herb prescriptions through rigorous molecular-level investigations and standardized clinical trials are also discussed. Emerging technologies, such as genomics and synthetic biology, are enabling new ways for discovering and utilizing the medicinal properties of plants. We are entering an exciting era where the ancient wisdom distilled into the world's traditional herbal medicines can be reinterpreted and exploited through the lens of modern science.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fu-Shuang Li
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, 455 Main Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA
| | - Jing-Ke Weng
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, 455 Main Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
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20
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Carvalho A, Chu J, Meinguet C, Kiss R, Vandenbussche G, Masereel B, Wouters J, Kornienko A, Pelletier J, Mathieu V. A harmine-derived beta-carboline displays anti-cancer effects in vitro by targeting protein synthesis. Eur J Pharmacol 2017; 805:25-35. [PMID: 28322844 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2017.03.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2016] [Revised: 03/13/2017] [Accepted: 03/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Growing evidence indicates that protein synthesis is deregulated in cancer onset and progression and targeting this process might be a selective way to combat cancers. While harmine is known to inhibit DYRK1A and intercalate into the DNA, tri-substitution was shown previously to modify its activity profile in favor of protein synthesis inhibition. In this study, we thus evaluated the optimized derivative CM16 in vitro anti-cancer effects unfolding its protein synthesis inhibition activity. Indeed, the growth inhibitory profile of CM16 in the NCI 60-cancer-cell-line-panel correlated with those of other compounds described as protein synthesis inhibitors. Accordingly, CM16 decreased in a time- and concentration-dependent manner the translation of neosynthesized proteins in vitro while it did not affect mRNA transcription. CM16 rapidly penetrated into the cell in the perinuclear region of the endoplasmic reticulum where it appears to target translation initiation as highlighted by ribosomal disorganization. More precisely, we found that the mRNA expression levels of the initiation factors EIF1AX, EIF3E and EIF3H differ when comparing resistant or sensitive cell models to CM16. Additionally, CM16 induced eIF2α phosphorylation. Those effects could explain, at least partly, the CM16 cytostatic anti-cancer effects observed in vitro while neither cell cycle arrest nor DNA intercalation could be demonstrated. Therefore, targeting protein synthesis initiation with CM16 could represent a new promising alternative to current cancer therapies due to the specific alterations of the translation machinery in cancer cells as recently evidenced with respect to EIF1AX and eIF3 complex, the potential targets identified in this present study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annelise Carvalho
- Laboratoire de Cancérologie et Toxicologie Expérimentale, Faculté de Pharmacie, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jennifer Chu
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal, Québec, Canada
| | - Céline Meinguet
- Namur Medicine and Drug Innovation Center (NAMEDIC-NARILIS), Université de Namur, Namur, Belgium
| | - Robert Kiss
- Laboratoire de Cancérologie et Toxicologie Expérimentale, Faculté de Pharmacie, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Guy Vandenbussche
- Laboratory for the Structure and Function of Biological Membranes, Faculté des Sciences, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Bernard Masereel
- Namur Medicine and Drug Innovation Center (NAMEDIC-NARILIS), Université de Namur, Namur, Belgium
| | - Johan Wouters
- Namur Medicine and Drug Innovation Center (NAMEDIC-NARILIS), Université de Namur, Namur, Belgium
| | - Alexander Kornienko
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Texas State University, 601 University Drive, San Marcos, TX 78666, USA
| | - Jerry Pelletier
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal, Québec, Canada
| | - Véronique Mathieu
- Laboratoire de Cancérologie et Toxicologie Expérimentale, Faculté de Pharmacie, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium.
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21
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Abstract
Cancer is a complex disease that affects multiple organs. Whole-body animal models provide important insights into oncology that can lead to clinical impact. Here, we review novel concepts that Drosophila studies have established for cancer biology, drug discovery, and patient therapy. Genetic studies using Drosophila have explored the roles of oncogenes and tumor-suppressor genes that when dysregulated promote cancer formation, making Drosophila a useful model to study multiple aspects of transformation. Not limited to mechanism analyses, Drosophila has recently been showing its value in facilitating drug development. Flies offer rapid, efficient platforms by which novel classes of drugs can be identified as candidate anticancer leads. Further, we discuss the use of Drosophila as a platform to develop therapies for individual patients by modeling the tumor's genetic complexity. Drosophila provides both a classical and a novel tool to identify new therapeutics, complementing other more traditional cancer tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Sonoshita
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States; Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - R L Cagan
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States.
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